LEAP Program Description

Global Solutions Ventures (GSV) – a joint-venture partnership between ZemiTek, LLC and Dexis Consulting Group – is implementing the Long-term Exceptional Technical Assistance Project (LEAP Global), a mechanism originally used by USAID to battle against infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, neglected tropical diseases, and pandemic influenza. As of July 1, 2025, LEAP Global transitioned to the U.S. Department of State (DOS). This initiative aims to address the complex human resource challenges faced by national infectious disease programs in the USA-supported countries.

The intervention of this project is to hire and embed technical expert advisors and subject matter experts within government entities. By directly embedding the technical expertise within the national programs, LEAP provides long-term, sustainable lifesaving support to empower host governments to lead and manage key aspects of their infectious disease portfolios and improve coordination between the U.S. Government and the host country.

About the Position

Zimbabwe is implementing a decentralized, patient-centered response to drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) guided by the National TB Strategic Plan (NSP), and national PMDT guidelines. The program is expanding access to rapid molecular diagnostics, all-oral DR-TB regimens, and decentralized models of care while strengthening surveillance, supply chain systems, adherence support, and quality of care.

The Department of State will second a Senior DR-TB Advisor to provide specialized technical assistance to the NTP. The Advisor will support policy development, program implementation, partner coordination, and scale-up of innovations to improve DR-TB detection, treatment outcomes, and prevention. The Advisor will support the NTP in carrying out life-saving humanitarian assistance (LHA) service delivery in full alignment with the new Presidential Executive Order (EO) directives. 

The Senior DR-TB Advisor will provide strategic and operational technical leadership to strengthen prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care of drug-resistant TB in Zimbabwe. The Advisor will support decentralized PMDT service delivery, scale-up of recommended diagnostics and regimens, integration of DR-TB and HIV services, implementation of TB grants, and use of data for program improvement.

Responsibilities

DR-TB Policy, Strategy, and Decentralized Service Delivery

• Support development and implementation of national strategies and operational plans for high-quality, decentralized PMDT services.
• Facilitate periodic review and updating of national PMDT guidelines in line with emerging evidence.
• Support implementation and strengthening of decentralized and community-based models of DR-TB care, including task-sharing and differentiated service delivery.
• Support DR-TB conciliar at national, provincial, and facility levels to guide complex case management.

Diagnosis, Surveillance, and DRS

• Support sustained access to rapid molecular diagnostics, in collaboration with the Directorate of Laboratory Services.
• Provide technical support for Drug Resistance Surveillance (DRS), including planning, implementation, data analysis, and use of findings to inform policy and programming.
• Support timely diagnosis and linkage to care for DR-TB cases.

Treatment, Regimens, and DR-TB Prevention

• Provide technical support for implementation and scale-up of all-oral DR-TB regimens, including BPAL(M) regimens.
• Support implementation of DR-TB prevention interventions, including use of fluoroquinolone-based preventive therapy (e.g., levofloxacin) for eligible contacts, in line with national policy.
• Support development and implementation of strategies to enhance adherence, retention, and treatment completion for DR-TB patients.
• Support routine DR-TB cohort reviews at national and sub-national levels to assess performance and guide corrective actions.
• Support roll out of the DRTB tracker and other digital innovations to enhance TB DRTB care.

Training, Capacity Building, and Mentorship

• Support review, updating, and dissemination of standardized national PMDT guidelines, training materials, job aides, and recording and reporting tools.
• Support targeted, facility-based capacity building and mentorship for clinical teams managing DR-TB patients.
• Support development and review of PMDT technical documents,

Program Monitoring, Data Use, and Reporting

• Analyze PMDT and DR-TB program data to monitor performance, identify gaps, and inform program improvement.
• Support documentation of best practices, lessons learned, and innovations in DR-TB programming.

Operational Research and Surveys

• Support design and implementation of DR-TB-related operational research, surveys, and evaluations to generate evidence for policy and program improvement.
• Facilitate translation of research findings into policy and practice.

Partner Coordination and Representation

• Support coordination of Implementing Partners and stakeholders involved in PMDT and DR-TB activities.
• Represent the NTP in technical working groups, partner meetings, and national forums as assigned by the Deputy Director – TB Prevention and Control.
• Regular conference calls with NTP, partners, U.S. Department of State /US Embassy and U.S. Department of State /Washington to review progress, discuss activities and address emerging issues.
• The Advisor should provide information and avail him/herself for calls/meetings with the U.S. Department of State as requested.
• The Advisor will provide monthly reports to U.S. Department of State

Expected Deliverables

• Updated national PMDT strategies, guidelines, and technical tools.
• Documented support for decentralized DR-TB service delivery and conciliar.
• Evidence of sustained access to rapid diagnostics and BPALM-based regimens.
• Regular DR-TB cohort review reports and action plans.
• Contributions to DRS, operational research, and TB grant reports.

Performance Management

Performance will be assessed based on achievement of agreed deliverables, quality and timeliness of technical outputs, effectiveness of collaboration with NTP and partners, and compliance with Department of State reporting requirements.

Reporting

The Advisor will provide a detailed monthly report to the U.S. Department of State at the end of each month. Additionally, the Advisor may be required to submit additional reports at the discretion of the U.S. Department of State and LEAP Global. The format for reporting may be adjusted with concurrence from the COR.

Qualifications

• Medical degree required (e.g., MBChB, MBBS, MD, or equivalent).
• Master’s degree preferred: Master of Medicine (Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases, or related fields) or Master of Public Health.
• Minimum of ten (10) years relevant technical experience in designing, implementing, and managing TB and PMDT programs in developing countries with a master’s degree; or a minimum of 10 years relevant experience with a bachelor’s degree.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, program management, and problem-solving skills
• At least five years of experience with or good knowledge of Global Fund operating procedures and financial management processes (proposal development and submission, monitoring and evaluation, PSM plan and reporting).
• Understanding of USG rules and regulations preferred.
• Ability to work effectively with a broad range of MoH and USG personnel and partners and have demonstrated skills in donor coordination and collaboration. 
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment to achieve consensus on policy, program and administrative matters.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate information to both health and non-health audiences, and achieve consensus on policy, project, research, and administrative matters.
• Proven ability to communicate clearly and concisely in English – both orally and in writing is essential.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, tact and diplomacy are required to establish and develop sustainable working relationships at the highest level and a high level of trust with public/private organizations. Verbal communication skills are also used to negotiate activity plans and resolve activity implementation issues with counterparts, partners and team members. 
• Excellent written communication skills are required to prepare regular and ad hoc reports, activity documentation and briefing papers.
• Good computer skills are required to implement, analyse, and monitor, and manage activity goals, inputs, outcomes, and achievements.
• Experience in teaching/training and capacity building.
• Experience working with the key stakeholders in TB program, preferably the national stakeholders and international donors.